MTPConnect’s TTRA program invests $6.7 million to accelerate transformative Australian diabetes and cardiovascular disease innovations : MTPConnect

21 October 2022

MTPConnect and the Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon. Mark Butler MP, today announced $6.7 million funding for nine diabetes and cardiovascular disease research projects through the Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program.

The TTRA program, a Medical Research Future Fund initiative delivered by MTPConnect, is supporting new approaches to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their related complications.

These new projects have attracted $8.6 million in additional contributions from the awardees and their partners – injecting a total of $15.3 million into the sector to tackle some of the leading causes of death and disability in Australia.

MTPConnect CEO, Stuart Dignam, said this second round of funding through the TTRA program provides another substantial and targeted boost for the translation, commercialisation and implementation of Australian diabetes and cardiovascular disease innovations.

“These nine highly promising research projects selected in NSW, Queensland and Victoria have the potential to truly transform diabetes and cardiovascular disease health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease on individuals, families and the community,” Mr Dignam said.

“The TTRA program maximises its investment by funding targeted needs. In Round 2, the TTRA program will fund projects addressing atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, cardiomyopathy and heart failure, as well as mental health and glucose control for those living with diabetes.

“These priority areas were identified through an evidence-based, national, coordinated health sector needs assessment. With this approach, we hope to see accelerated clinical impact for those who need it most,” Mr Dignam said.

TTRA Research Projects Round 2 Funding Awarded to:

BiVACOR Pty Ltd, QLD, $750,000 award to develop a new, more portable external controller to allow long-term use with its BiVACOR total artificial heart
Cardihab Pty Ltd, QLD, $740,153 award to advance its platform and patient-centric smart phone-based app, providing personalised healthcare delivery to improve heart failure outcomes
Cyban Pty Ltd, VIC, $700,000 award to apply its innovative brain pulse oximeter technology, as a point of care monitor for earlier detection and treatment of stroke in a hospital setting to prevent long term disability and death
Deakin University, VIC, $749,764 award to trial an online education program for prevention, awareness of symptoms, and treatment to reduce hypoglycaemia-related anxiety and improve mental health outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW, $749,979 award to conduct a first-in-human safety and efficacy trial using genetically engineered islet cells to restore glucose in type 1 diabetes
Monash University, VIC, $750,000 award to develop a novel adjunctive peptide therapy to lower insulin doses for improved glucose control in the treatment of type 1 diabetes
University of Sydney, NSW, $750,000 award to bring oral insulin to phase I clinical studies using a novel quantum dot drug delivery platform
University of Sydney, NSW, $749,536 award to progress novel small molecule therapeutics targeting the inflammatory contribution to atherosclerosis, stabilising plaque and preventing heart attack
Western Sydney University, NSW, $744,873 award to trial a clinically validated Care Portal providing access to peer support, mental health support and clinical care, empowering young Australians to live well with diabetes

A distinctive feature of the TTRA program is the emphasis on translation, with our program partners – ANDHealth, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, Medical Device Partnering Program and UniQuest – providing mentoring and commercialisation and implementation advice to applicants and those receiving funding.